Smiths Food & Drug praised for promoting local products

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Commitment to green agriculture

Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, Leonard Blackham, and Mountainland Apples, Inc. Sales Manager, Marv Rowley offered special recognition to Smith’s Food and Drug Stores for offering Utah-grown fruits and vegetables in their grocery stores.

Commissioner Blackham and Rowley presented a specially designed award to Smith’s President, Jim Hallsey and Smith’s Director of Produce, Brent Kennington during ceremonies June 26.

“I commend Smiths for recognizing the importance of offering Utah products to its consumers,” said Blackham. “Your company is not only supporting Utah farmers, but offering a high quality, nutritious and safe product to shoppers,” he added.

“As costs continue to rise and consumers become more demanding of "green" products, Smith’s Food and Drugs recognizes the importance of purchasing and promoting locally grown products when they available, “ said Marv Rowley. “Each box of fruit purchased helps keep and create new jobs here. Purchasing locally also helps to maintain quality and keep transportation costs down,” he added.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s Marketing department promotes local agriculture though it’s highly successful Utah’s Own program.

From left: UDAF Commissioner, Leonard Blackham; Smith's President, Jim Hallsey; Mountainland Sales Manager, Marv Rowley; Smith's Director of Produce, Brent Kennington; UDAF Deputy Marketing Dir., Richard Sparks.